AN ANCHORAGE FOR FLEXIBLE MOUNTING OF ELEMENTS OF NATURAL STONE AND SIMILAR MATERIALS ON VERTICAL WALLS

Abstract: An anchorage of an integral piece of material for mounting of elements of natural stone and similar materials to vertical walls/facades, provides the flexibility to accommodate movement and settings in the supporting structure and possibilities for adjustment during and after mounting.

Description: AN ANCHORAGE FOR FLEXIBLE MOUNTING OF ELEMENTS OF NATURAL STONE AND SIMILAR MATERIALS ON VERTICAL WALLS The use of natural stone in the form av massive sawn plates about 20 mm thick for covering and facades of buildings is increasing. Rather than supporting itself, the stone is supported by an underlying structure to which the stone elements are attached by means of anchorages. This brings with it challenges that increase the cost of using stone. Thus Lewis, ("Stone Anchorage Design. An installers Perspective", Dimensional Stone Magazine, April 1992) gives an extensive review of the conditions relating to securing of natural stone elements. He particularly points to that a natural local variation in the properties of the stone requires specific knowledge concerning mounting in order not to exceed the strength of the stone under wind load and movement in the supporting structure. This is apt to happen if forces may be concentrated against the stone through the anchorages, and is one of several problems solved by the present invention. As a result, the mounting of stone no longer requires the same amount of expertise, and becomes simpler and less costly. Various methods exist for fastening of dimensional stone to supporting struc¬ tures. A number of ancorages are described in the patent literature (e.g NO 92 0925, NO 127 158, NO 151 823, DK 122 137, DE 2 150 359 and EP 288 326). Known solutions with anchorages made of one piece result in time-consuming mounting due to exacting requirements for dimensional toler¬ ances. Several solutions are known where the anchorage is made from two or more parts, and wherein one part may be adjusted relative to the rest to allow for wider tolerances. Such anchorages are naturally more costly to produce. All known anchorage solutions will concentrate forces against the stone with movements or deformations in the supporting structure. The object of the present invention is to provide an anchorage for mounting whereby the above mentioned disadvantages are avoided. This object is achieved with an anchorage for mounting of the type mentioned in the introduction, and characterized by the features and advantages disclosed by the appended claims. By means of the invention an anchorage for mounting of such stone and similar materials is obtained, to form facades or protective coverings over the underly- ing structure, making significant movement and setting in the underlying struc¬ ture possible without damage to the stone, and reducing the transmission of sound energy, so that different patterns of stone may be created through one single type of anchorage, allowing the position of individual elements to be adjusted relative to each other during mounting and in the finished wall, and finally permitting the anchorage to be produced as an integral piece of material. Anchorages according to the invention may be used on any kind of support that provide secure holding of screws or bolts, and which will support a load of at least 50 kg/m 2 over the foil height of the wall. The invention is primarily aimed at supports that "work" with changes in temperature or humidity, such as wood¬ work, allowing such supports to be given coverings of natural stone. The stone elements are furthermore made in standard sizes, and are relatively small and light (typically less than 0,15 m 2 and 10 kg pro element, cf. fig. 4). The present invention provides anchorages made from one piece of material, allowing for efficient production and for homogeneity of all parts that may be exposed to water and corrosion. The anchorages simultaneously provide a number of functions: 1. Adjustment is possible in and out, up and down, and sideways, both during and after mounting, as in previously known solutions consisting of two or more parts (cf fig. 3). 2. Mounted stone elements are held away from the supporting structure, allowing for ventilation, for hiding of electrical installations and piping, and for transporting of water away from the supporting structure. 3. Mounted stone elements may be displaced with respect to each other, to allow for movement and settings in the supporting structure without forces being concentrated against the stone. 4. Horisontal movement (in/out) from wind forces are converted to vertical movement (up/down), resulting in nonlinear spring characteristics that counteract standing oscillations, and thus the possibility of metal fatigue and failure (cf. fig. 2). 5. Transfer of sound energy from stone elements to the supporting structure is minimized, further enhancing the good insulation properties of stone coverings against noise. 6. Individual elements in finished walls may be removed for replacement or for access to the underlying structure or objects. Stone elements are preferably made to standard sizes (cf. fig. 4), and are held by the anchorages through grooves in their sides (cf fig. If). Grooves in all sides of the elements let a single type of anchorage hold elements in both standing and sidewise positions, making flexible patterns of stone possible (cf. fig 5). Anchor- ages may be made from any suitable material, but primarily from stainless steel, ensuring a foil wallcovering construction with corrosion resistant materials, and without any organic matter that may detoriate. The required properties in the anchorages are attained by forming them as springs in the form of sections pointing out and downwards from the supporting structure; each section either carrying an upper element, or holding a lower one in position. Fig. 1 shows a combination of two carrying and two holding sections, allowing for individual adjustment of four elements meeting in a corner (cf. fig. 5a). However, varying numbers of spring sections may be used. Such relationship is assumed between width, thickness and stiffness that each section will carry its intended load with comfortable margin, yet may be formed (by hand or suitable tools) to adjust the position of stone elements as required. At the same time, elastic deformation accomodates movement in the supporting structure, avoiding concentration of forces against the stone. It is the construction of anchorages as flexible springs with these properties that constitutes the essential improvement provided by the present invention. Previously known solutions appear to have sought anchorages that are as rigid as possible, with the disadvantages that this imply in concentrating forces against the stone with movements in the supporting contruction, and also for transmis¬ sion of sound. The present invention solves this problems and results in a simple design. This is the result of an extensive process of development, where a simple design suitable for efficient production has been one of the targets. Dimensions of the anchorages will vary with contraction material, weight of elements and dimensioning wind load. Dimensions as shown (cf. fig. 1 ) are typical of corrosion resistant steel, wind load of 1.3 kN/nr , and elements with weight/size 7 kg/0.12 m 2 (cf. fig.4) The invention will now be illustrated in more detail by means of an embodiment which is depicted in the drawings. Fig. 1 shows the anchorage seen in a frontal and side view. A top lip (la) is held by the screw/washer (lb) against the supporting structure, transferring (along with the screw/washer) forces from the anchorage to the support. The screw notch allows for vertical adjustment during mounting and later. Below the screw, the anchorage is bent outward to form a slanting spring that holds the stone elements away from the supporting structure. Punched openings from below (lc) divide the spring into sections (four as shown in fig 1) that within limits may be displaced with respect to each other. Their depth depends on plasticity and stiffness of anchorage material. One type of spring section (Id) carries an upper stone element, and ends in an upward facing lip that grips in the bottom groove of the stone element. The horisontal part supports the element, and the lip prevents it from slipping away. Another type of section (le) has a lip pointing downward, holding the upper part of an underlying stone element to prevent it from falling out. An extension (lg) holds the element against the lip to prevent rattling and noise under wind load. Contact points between anchorage and stone are shown in fig. If. An anchorage may have either one or both types of sections, and one or more sections of each type. As shown in fig. 1, the anchorage will carry two upper elements while supporting two lower elements meeting in a corner (cf fig 5a). More anchorages may however be used pro element. Fig. 2 shows how horizontal movement due to wind forces (2a) acquires a vertical component (2c) from the carrying section(s) (2b), while the horizontal part of the holding spring section(s) will allow this vertical movement (2d). The result is a strongly nonlinear spring characteristic that counteracts standing oscillation and metal fatigue in the anchorage. This is an important detail, and is perhaps the reason why previous anchorage solutions have been made with high stiffness that will concentrate forces against the stone (cf the paper of Lewis). Fig. 3 shows the possibilities of adjustment by plastic bending of the anchorages. Deformation below the fastening to the support (3a) adjusts for uneveness in the supporting structure. Deformation (bending) of individual spring sections (3b) adjusts individual stone elements with respect to each other, and deformation of the protrusion of the holding spring section (3c) adjusts for uneven thickness of individual elements (especially for slate). These adjustments in part make possible much higher tolerances in the manufacture of elements, and in part allow for quicker mounting to finished walls. Fig. 4 shows the design and dimensions of typical stone elements, and fig. 5 gives examples of how such elements may be mounted in a facade, illustrating the use of anchorages at large. Beyond traditional facades, the invention has a wide range of applications. Thus, the inertness of materials encourages structures such as fences and noice deflec¬ tion barriers, and with differently coloured stone for ornamental usage, and perhaps for trademarks and advertizing on permanent facades. A number of patents relate to ceramic tiles (eg NO 151 823), which may be efficiently manufactured with grooves and mounted by the present anchorages. Applying electrically conductive layers to the back of stone elements would implement electric heating in interior walls. Similarly transparent elements may be used for lighting, and elements in exterior walls may act as reflectors or solar panels. Heat resistant elements may be used for fire protection. Moisure tight films (eg PET-foil) between the anchorages and the supporting structure will provide water resistant walls for wet rooms.

Claims: PATENT CLAIMS 1. An anchorage for flexible mounting of elements of natural stone and similar materials to vertical walls, characterized by the anchorage (fig. 1) being formed as a slanting, downwards pointing spring section in an integral piece of material, providing flexibility for accommodating deformations in the supporting structure from settings or from variations of temperature and humidity, and that the spring section may be plastically deformed for adjusting the position of stone elements by bending of the spring sections in and out (cf. fig. 3). 2. An anchorage according to claim 1, characterized by selecting the angle of said spring section with the vertical support (fig. 2b and 2d), such that horizontal oscillations of the stone elements acquires a vertical component, thus providing nonlinear spring characteristics that counteracts standing oscillations and possible metal fatigue in the anchorage. 3. An anchorage according to claims 1 and 2, characterized by the anchorage being divided in spring sections (fig. lc, Id, le), that will either carry and support at least one upper element, or support at least one lower element, such said at least one element may be displaced relative to adjoining element.

Inventors: GETHER HARALD, GETHER JOERGEN, GETHER, HARALD, GETHER, JOERGEN
Applicants: GETHER HARALD, GETHER JOERGEN, GETHER, HARALD, GETHER, JOERGEN
Application year: 1994
Main classification: E04F13
IPC codes: E04F13